Justin Verlander is looking forward to a full season with the Houston Astros, while the New York Mets are hoping for a healthier year for their starting staff. The New York Yankees? Well, this season may not be about their…

Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Yankees slugger Aaron Judge took batting practice for the first time since left shoulder surgery and said he is on track to play on opening day. Judge hit a rookie record 52 home runs…

NEW YORK (AP) – There’s a new manager in the dugout and a new slugger in the lineup. After reaching Game 7 of the AL Championship Series, the Yankees are back in the familiar position of a favorite. Aaron Boone,…

A team-by-team look at the American League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: Boston Red Sox Manager: Alex Cora (first…

A team-by-team look at the American League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: Houston Astros Manager: A.J. Hinch (fourth season)….

A team-by-team look at the National League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: Washington Nationals Manager: Dave Martinez (first season)….

A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: Cleveland Indians Manager: Terry Francona (sixth season)….

BOSTON — The New York Yankees, Boston’s biggest rival, added NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton to a lineup that already included fellow 50 home run-hitter and AL Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge. The Houston Astros added Gerrit Cole to a…

TORRINGTON – A Watertown man accused of invading and ransacking an elderly woman’s home with an accomplice last summer in the New Preston section of Washington, Conn., appeared Tuesday in Torrington Superior Court on $250,000 bond. Michael Ferratto, 29, of…

WATERTOWN – Robert V. Garretson, 92, passed away peacefully on Feb. 4, 2018, at his home in Watertown after a long illness. He was the loving husband of Rosemary (Verzole) Garretson for 68 years, and a loving father, grandfather and…

NEW YORK – Free agent third baseman Todd Frazier is switching sides close to home, set to join the New York Mets and take over a spot that’s been in flux since David Wright got injured. A person familiar with…

NEW YORK – Agent Scott Boras says the number of major league teams rebuilding with younger, lower-cost rosters has become a cancer to the sport, attributing behavior to the strengthened luxury tax combining with restraints on draft-pick salaries. Boras attributes…

TORRINGTON – Michael “Mickey” A. Bonasera, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Valerie Manor in the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. Mickey was born in Torrington on Jan. 2, 1932. He was the youngest of…

Is this the year Scott Boras fails to pull a rabbit out of a hat? Or three or four rabbits, to be precise? Yes, January has come and gone and, remarkably, baseball’s big free-agent freeze hasn’t even begun to melt….

BETHLEHEM – James J. Rudzavice, 46, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at his home surrounded by family after a two and a half year battle with cancer. He was born June 4, 1971, to the late John…

WATERBURY – Shawn Costello passed away on Jan. 28, 2018, at Waterbury Hospital after a long and heroic battle with cancer. He was the loving husband of Elizabeth (True) Costello. He was born on June 9, 1958 in Waterbury, son…

WOLCOTT – Mr. Arthur Paolucci, age 95, formerly of Waterbury, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at his home. He was the loving husband of Margaret (Signore) Paolucci. Mr. Paolucci was born on June…

BETHLEHEM – James J. Rudzavice, 46, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at his home surrounded by family after a two-and-a-half year battle with cancer. He was born on June 4, 1971, to the late John L. Rudzavice…

Starting his new gig as ESPN’s Sunday night game analyst, Alex Rodriguez won’t complain about endless pitching changes and trips to the mound. “I’m biased, I’m probably the wrong person to ask,” he said Friday. “I can watch a five-hour…

“Cha Cha Slide,” DJ Caspar The 2000 song was inspired by the Chicago stepping movement and was used by the songwriter Willie Perry’s nephew in a step aerobics class. When Perry put out a new version of the song, he…

AVON – Michael L. Daversa, 76, of Avon, beloved husband of Catherine (Smith) Daversa, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, surrounded by his family. Born in Waterbury, son of the late James and Carmella (Goffredo) Daversa, he was raised…

WATERBURY – James “Jay” A. Santoli, 75, of Punta Gorda, Fla., formerly of Waterbury, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his daughter’s home surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of Joanne (Lathrop) Santoli for 31…

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens will probably have to wait a little longer to get their plaques in the Baseball Hall of Fame. But that day is coming. As it should. Bonds and Clemens are essentially a package deal –…

THOMASTON – Mr. Anthony Gentile “Little Ant,” 33, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident in Longmeadow, Mass. He was the fiancé of Miana Choku. Anthony was born in Leominster, Mass. on June 24,…

The last time an injury caused such widespread panic in New England was 13 years ago when Curt Schilling took to the mound with his famed bloody sock. The Red Sox pitcher led his team to a 2004 ALCS victory…

WATERBURY – Joseph J. “Joe” Brown, 25, of Waterbury, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, at Hartford Hospital after a long illness. Joe was born on May 21, 1992, in Waterbury, a son…

WATERBURY – Bruce A. Lestage, 64, of Waterbury, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at the VITAS Inpatient Unit of Saint Mary’s Hospital, surrounded by the love and comfort of his family, after a brief but courageous battle…

NEW YORK – The Yankees reached one-year contracts with their remaining six players eligible for arbitration, leaving their projected luxury tax payroll at $177 million – $20 million below the threshold. Shortstop Didi Gregorius agreed at $8.25 million Friday, pitcher…

NEW MILFORD – Lori Lynn Kieras, of New Milford, passed away Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018 in New Milford at the age of 56. She was born Nov. 21, 1961, in Sharon, daughter of Leroy and Jean (Stuart) Irving of Sparta,…

MIDDLEBURY – Kenneth H. Cleary, 36, passed away on Jan. 5, 2018, surrounded by his family and friends. Kenneth was born in Waterbury on March 10, 1981, the youngest child of Ann Owens Cleary and James E. Cleary Jr. He…

Pierogis made on-site are for sale during the Lenten season at Seymour Congregational Church, 45 Broad St. Pierogis will be available Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon, until...

Exhibits, activities, stage shows, face art, balloon twisting and more. Tickets available on the day of the event at the museum or at the Warner Theater. Advance sales tickets at the museum or kidsplaymuseum.org.

The sale will include church-made pierogi’s with cheese, sweet potato with cheese, and kraut with onion. The cost is $6 per dozen. Also Friday’s from 9 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., until Good Friday, March 30. Call to...